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The United States has seen swimmers Katie Ledecky and Caeleb Dressel have large amounts of success at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics thus far. On Friday, the two Americans took center stage once again.
Ledecky got off to an excellent start, winning gold for the third straight time in the 800-meter freestyle. Not only is that mark historic, but it is also the first time at the Tokyo Games that Ledecky finished ahead of Australia's Ariarne Titmus in an individual race. Ledecky took gold with a time of 8:12.57, while Titmus finished in 8:13.83 for the silver. Italy's Simona Quadarella finished in third.
The American jumped out to an early lead in the first 100 meters of the race. Titmus was about a half length behind Ledecky through the first 400 meters, but she eventually faded a few lengths behind. Ledecky led for the entire race.
Before that race, Dressel won the 100-meter butterfly final and broke the world record in the process, finishing in 49.45. He won the event in 49.45 seconds, surpassing the old mark -- which Dressel himself set in 2019 -- of 49.50.
As he almost always does, the American got off to a great start off the blocks. His main competition was Kristof Milak of Hungary. But Milak could not catch Dressel.
Milak did take silver and was followed by Switzerland's Noe Ponti in third place.
Dressel also competed in the 4x100-meter mixed medley relay, and the United States ended up finishing fifth.
Below are recaps of the other races that took place on Friday.
4x100-meter mixed medley relay final
Jacoby's goggles came off during her leg of the 4x100-meter mixed medley relay. After that, she fell significantly behind. When Dressel entered the pool, the United States were an estimated eight seconds behind, but Dressel did keep fighting to give the Americans a chance. Great Britain won the gold medal with a world record time of 3:37.58 and the United States finished in fifth place.
Women's 200-meter backstroke final
Australia's Emma McKeon won the second heat of the women's 50-meter freestyle with a time of 24.00, which was an Olympic record. American Abbey Weitzeil did manage to have a strong showing, as she finished in second place with a time of 24.19 in what turned out to be a photo finish.
Men's 50-meter freestyle semifinal
In the first heat, France's Florent Manaudou wins the men's 50-meter freestyle semifinals with a time of 21.53. Brazil's Bruno Fratus finishes in second place just .07 seconds behind Manaudou. Caeleb Dressel wins the second heat of the men's 50-meter freestyle semifinal with a time of 21.42 and advances to the final. Dressel led the entire way as he finished ahead of Greece's Krristian Gkolomeev.
